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US blocks individuals and money exchangers linked to Taliban and Lashkar-e-Tayyiba

On 21 August, the US Treasury Department targeted the Taliban through the designation of a Pakistan-based hawala (money services business) and its owner, as well as a Taliban commander based in Afghanistan. All three were designated SDGTs. According to the Treasury Department, the hawala, Haji Basir and Zarjmil Company, and its owner, Haji Abdul Basir, have distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Taliban members in Afghanistan and conducted transactions related to weapons and other operational expenses for the Taliban. The Treasury Department stated that Qari Rahmat, an alleged Taliban commander in Afghanistan, directs the activities of approximately 300 Taliban fighters, having directed them in several attacks on Afghan and Coalition forces. He also has allegedly distributed of weapons, including rocket propelled grenades, and provided shelter and tactical guidance to numerous Taliban fighters in Afghanistan’s Achin District.

On 27 August, the US Treasury Department announced the designation of Muhammad Iqbal and his money services business Asma Money Exchangers as SDGTs pursuant to Executive Order 13224. According to the Treasury Department, Mr Iqbal is a founding member of a non-governmental organisation, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation, that is affiliated with Lashkar e-Tayyiba, a Pakistan-based entity designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization as well as a SDGT. Specifically, the Treasury Department asserts that Mr Iqbal, both individually and through Asma Money Exchangers, has provided financial assistance to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and various fronting organisations.